Edward first appeared on a census in the 1901 census for Great Bowden. The head of the family was Elias James, 30, a Groom (not Domestic) who had been born in Chirk, Denbighshire. His wife was Martha, 32 who had been born in Huntington. Their listed children were Edward T 5 who had been born in Forest Gate and Robert E 3 who was born in Market Harborough.

By the 1911 census the family had moved to Glascoed Cottages, Ffrith. Elias 40 was a Coachman domestic. His wife, Martha was 43. Their son Robert Elias was 13. John Dodd was a Boarder aged 45 and a Gardner (domestic). I have been unable to find Edward on the 1911 census, can anyone help?

UK Soldiers Who Died in the Great War available at Ancestry.co.uk states that Edward’s birth place was Forest Gate London and that he enlisted in Wrexham.

British Army WWI Medal Rolls Index Card also avilable at Ancestry.co.uk states that he first entered a theatre of war 1st December 1915 and it was France.

The UK army register of Soldiers Effect informs us that his mother Martha was Sole Legatte and recieved £13.10.

There is an index card for Edward James in The Flintshire Roll of Honour at the County Record Office in Hawarden. It gives the address Station House Ffrith, Llanfynydd. It confirms the regimental details as at the top of this page. The card tells us that he served for three years and that he was killed in France on the 24th September 1917. The card was signed by Martha James. (His mother?). There is a second address added to the bottom of the card – Avondale Llanfynydd – not sure why.